Businesspeople are frequently told―or, at least, frequently assume―that success is synonymous with ruthlessness. They’re advised never to leave money on the table, never to split the difference, and that generosity is always the worst option. But what if all those things weren’t actually true? What if there was another way to the top that didn’t put self-interest at the apex of what motivates us?

In Kind Folks Finish First, Pavilion CEO and celebrated speaker Sam Jacobs weaves together fresh business lessons and practical perspectives on success that will help you propel your career forward while retaining the kindness and generosity that makes life worth living. You’ll explore a set of values that have helped the author build a $200 million-dollar business that’s rooted in kindness, reciprocity, and compassion and has helped countless people reach their goals in countless arenas.

In this book, you’ll discover long-term strategies that help you learn what you really stand for and regain control of your life, leveraging reciprocity to drive professional success. You’ll align your personal and professional lives, relying on the same values that guide your closest relationships to accelerate the results you achieve in the working world.

Kind Folks Finish First is a one-of-a-kind approach to success. A kinder, gentler, values-driven, and authentic way to unlock your full professional and personal potential, this book deserves a place on the bookshelves of executives, managers, and other current and aspiring business leaders who want to make the world a better place and get ahead while they’re doing it.

PRAISE FOR KIND FOLKS FINISH FIRST

“This is an excellently crafted book with a badly needed message: you don’t have to be an aggressive jerk to succeed in business. In fact, if you lead with generosity and fairness, your professional life will be better off and your whole world will be just plain better.”
― Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Power of Regret, To Sell is Human, and Drive

“From the beginning, I wanted HubSpot to be an amazing place to work. We put our heart and soul into building something meaningful. So, it’s with great relief and excitement that I read Sam’s book. It captures the spirit of great cultures and great values and it’s a world I very much want to be a part of.”
―Brian Halligan, HubSpot Founder and Executive Chairperson, ex-CEO

“We’ve all heard the anecdotal statement that to be successful in business, you shouldn’t make anything personal―it is strictly about business. However, I have always believed there’s a better way to succeed, leading me to create our purpose at Gainsight: to be living proof that you can win in business while being human-first. This book shares important insights and lessons where the human-first way of business isn’t just a strategy or vision; it’s the only way to win.”
―Nick Mehta, CEO, Gainsight

“The message behind Kind Folks Finish First is one I fully believe in and, more importantly, one I think the world can never hear too many times (including right now). I’ve built my career and my companies along many of these principles and am excited for the rest of the world to experience these ideas. A great read with compelling stories.”
― Matt Blumberg, Co-founder and CEO of Bolster, 3-time bestselling author of Startup CEO, Startup CXO, and Startup Boards

“True kindness―caring enough about others to ask them what they really think, and to tell them what you really think―is essential to being a good boss. Too many leaders feel they must choose between being successful and being ‘nice.’ That is a false choice. Your kindness is your biggest asset as a leader when you know how to harness it. Sam Jacobs explains how to do just that in this important and wonderful book.”
―Kim Scott, bestselling author of Radical Candor and Just Work